Traffic signal



A. c. ROBERTS TRAFFIC SIGNAL July 10, 1934.

Filed Aug. 25. 1932 Patented July 10, 1934 PATENT QFFICE.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL Amasa C. Roberts, Saginaw, Mich., assignor to Sommers Brothers Appliance Company, Saginaw, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application August 25, 1932, Serial No. 630,389

6 Claims. (01. 40-130) This invention relates to signals, and more specifically to a reflector signal which is employed at street intersections fortraffic signs, road markers, house numbers, railroad signs, and signs in general. I

One of the prime objects of the invention is to provide simple, practical, and inexpensive means for mounting the reflector member, and which eliminates the use of the standard reflector shell or cup as well as the usual spring, said means also being designed for detachable engagement with the reflector plate.

Another object is to provide simple and inexpensive means for spacing the plate in which the reflectors are mounted, said plate and reflectors being readily removable or insertable as a unit for repair, replacement, or for'any other reason.

A further object is to design a traflic signal or sign of neat and pleasing appearance, which can be pressed from sheet metal, insuring quantity production at a minimum cost, and which is adaptable for signals, markers, and signs of all kinds.

Other objects and advantages will be fully apparent from the description and accompanying drawing, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views thereof.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a front view of my road signal.

Fig. 2 is an edge view, partly in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing the reflector plate and mounting.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan View of the reflector plate, showing one of the openings used for mounting the reflector sockets.

Fig. -6 is a similar view illustrating a slightly different opening.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing in which'I have shown one embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 indicates a preferably pressed shell in which a reflector-plate 6 is mountedfa cover '7 forming a closure for the shell, and said cover is secured in position by means of a bolt and nut 8 and 9 as usual.

The plate 6 is preferably flat as shown, the ends or portions thereof being turned to provide legs 10, so that the plate will be spaced from the back wall of the shell, and these legs can be of varying length to suit the height and design of reflector used. 7

The reflector holder 11 is formed'as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and comprises a plurality of vertically spaced apart prongs 12 projecting from the main body, and a translucent reflector member 13 is adapted to be detachably mounted therein, these prongs being resilient and I are bent inwardly so as to firmly grip and hold the reflector. Similar legs-or prongs 14 project downwardly from the main body 11, and these legs lead outwardly as shown, suitable openings 15 being provided in the plate, and when the. holder is ready for mounting,- these legs are sprung towards each other to enter the opening 15; the legs then spring outwardly to firmly secure the holder on the plate.

In Fig. 6 of the drawing I have shown a slight 1y different construction, spaced apart openings 16 being provided in the plate so that the legs 14 can be inserted in exactly the same manner as a separable plug cap such as used in electrical work. Various other designs may be used if desired, without departing from the invention, the object being to detachably mount the holders in the plate and eliminate the shell or jacket of the reflector, as well as the spring which holds it in position on the plate.

In practice the plate 6 is formed to properly space it from the bottom of the shell; the holder and reflector are then mounted on the plate, and the cover placed in position, openings 17- being provided in the cover to expose the ends of the reflectors, so that light rays from vehicle headlights or from any other source will be reflected from the translucent reflector member. These reflectors and openings being arranged to form letters, words, or numbers, the exposed surface of the cover directly adjacent the openings being painted a different color as at 18 to outline the letter or word, so that it is clearly visible in the daylight and to form a sharp contrast.

. From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have perfected a very practical and neat appearing signal device, which can be read-- ily assembled, which is economical to manufacture, and which is composed of a minimum number of parts.

What I claim is:

1. A signal device comprising a shell provided with openings in the cover thereof, a relatively thin stationary reflector plate mounted-therein, holders detachably mounted in said plate and formed with downwardly projecting resilient prongs for detachable engagement therewith, reflectors mounted in said holders and in alignment with the openings in the cover member, and means for securing the shell, covermember, and plate rigidly together in fixed relation.

2. A signal device comprising a shell, provided with a cover having a plurality of spaced apart openings therein, a reflector plate'mounted in said case and having its edges turned to form legs :for spacing the plate therein, holders mounted on holders detachably mounted on said plate, prongs on said holders and in which the reflectors are mounted, and resilient legs on bottom-of the holder for detachably engaging, said plate.

4. A traific signal comprising a pressed shell, provided with a cover having a plurality of openings therein, a'reflector plate mounted in said shell and having turned edges for spacing said plate from the back wall of the shell, holder's mounted on said plate, and formed with resilient legs adapted to detachably connect the holders to the plate, reflectors removably mounted in said holders in alignment with said openings, and means for rigidly securing the cover on said shell. r

5. A trafllc signal comprising a pressed shell, provided with a cover having a plurality of openings therein, a reflector plate mounted in the shell,

and having turned legs formed integral therewith for spacing the plate therein, pronged holders mounted on the plate and formed with resilient legs adapted to register -with openings therein, and reflectors detachably secured by said prongs and in alignment with the openings in the shell.

6. A sign of the reflecting type comprising a back plate having a forwardly extending rim, an intermediate plate having a rearwardly extending rim, said last-named rim telescoping within the rim of the back plate and engaging the rear plate, a front plate having a rearward extending rim telescoping over the rim of the back plate, the front plate being provided with openings arranged to form a character, means on the intermediate plate aligned with said openings for supporting reflector buttons, reflector buttons supported by said means and extending through the openings in the front plate, and means for fastening the front plate, the intermediate plate, and the rear plate together.

AMASA C. ROBERTS. 

